Husband ‘strangled wife of 44 years to death after late-night argument in coronavirus lockdown’
A HUSBAND was today accused of Britain's first coronavirus isolation murder by strangling his wife at their home.
Tony Williams, 69, allegedly murdered wife Ruth, 67, in a late night argument after being happily married for more than 44 years.
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Cops found Ruth, “unconscious and unresponsive” at the couple’s smart semi-detached home in Brynglas, South Wales, following a 999 call.
The gran and mum-of-one from Cwmbran, South Wales, died in hospital of suspected strangulation, the court heard.
Williams only spoke to confirm his personal details in a two-minute hearing at Cardiff magistrates court.
MYSTERY DEATH
Ben Williams, defending, said: “They were in a loving 44-year marriage - her death is a mystery.”
Retired construction worker Williams was remanded in custody by District Judge Stephen Harmes and is due to appear at Cardiff Crown Court tomorrow.
Former ASDA supermarket worker Ruth was found unconscious shortly before 7am on Saturday morning.
It is understood she received her injures several hours earlier before the 999 call was made from the couple’s £160,000 house in Cwmbran.
The retired couple had a daughter Emma, 40, who was said to be “devastated” by the tragedy.
They were in a loving 44-year marriage - her death is a mystery.
His lawyer Ben Williams
She attended the brief hearing but was not allowed into court because of coronavirus restrictions. She was later briefed by the judge.
More than 100 tributes were paid to the Ruth describing her as a “lovely and kind” mum.
A neighbour said: “She was a smart and attractive woman with a great sense of humour.
“She always had a smile on her face and a little twinkle in her eye - it’s such a shock that she had gone.
“She and her husband seemed devoted to each other, there was nothing to say this was going to happen.
LOCKDOWN
“But people are getting stressed over being locked up together at the moment, I hope that’s not what’s happened with Ruth.”
One neighbour said: "This is such a shock. They had lived here for a long time.
"I hadn't seen them for a while but everybody around here seems to be in isolation.
"Police have been here all over the weekend carrying out searches at the home. It's a real tragedy."
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Another neighbour said: "This is just awful.
"They always seemed like very nice people but we think he had been ill recently. The family can't even grieve properly together."
Local councillor Ron Burnett said: "It's a huge shock to everybody. We just can't get our heads around it.
"I know them personally and so I find it all very upsetting - I don't want to talk about it but my condolences go out to the family.
"They were a well known family. Ruth worked in Asda for many, many years and I'm sure this will come as a big shock to everybody."
The tragedy happened in the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board area which has one of the UK’s worst coronavirus areas outside London with 514 confirmed cases.
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A spokeswoman for Gwent Police said: "Gwent Police received a call to an address in Brynglas, Cwmbran, at around 6.50am on Saturday 28 March.
"67-year-old Ruth Williams was found unconscious and unresponsive at the premises. She was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport where she sadly died.
"A 69-year-old man was arrested, he's since been charged with murder."
